Pinellas-Pasco assistant state attorney arrested on DUI charge

LARGO — A Pinellas-Pasco assistant state attorney who handles felony cases was arrested Friday on a charge of causing property damage while driving under the influence of alcohol.

Jason Morton, 32, of Clearwater, was released from the Pinellas County Jail on his own recognizance after the arrest.

According to an arrest report, Morton, 32, was driving south on 49th Street just north of Roosevelt Boulevard at 12:18 Friday morning, when he failed to negotiate a curve in the road and struck a guardrail.

Florida Highway Patrol troopers noted Morton had a strong odor of alcohol on his breath, was unsteady on his feet and had bloodshot eyes. Morton refused to do field sobriety tests or take a breath test, an arrest report states.

Chief Assistant State Attorney Bruce Bartlett said he would review the facts of the case. No decision has yet been made how to discipline Morton.